The GHSA Playoffs get under way on Friday night. The past few seasons, we have attempted to preview every playoff game. This season we are taking a bit of a different approach. We will give you our overall thoughts on each classification and then preview two of the top games for each classification. For Class 6A or preview highlight features Cambridge vs. South Paulding and Rome vs. Johns Creek.
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
Tale of the Tape
Defending Champion: Buford
Current No. 1: Buford (TFR & GHSFD)
Best 1st Round Game: Rome vs. Johns Creek
Longest Playoff Drought: Effingham County (2018)
Week 1 Upset Watch: Dacula, Rome, Cambridge, Richmond Hill, Carrollton
Final Four Predictions: Rome; Riverwood; Buford; Westlake
Sleeper: Creekview
Buford is our favorite to win the AAAAAA title again this season. The Wolves have not lost to an opponent from Georgia yet; with their only loss coming at the hands of Chaminade-Madonna of Florida by seven points. We really like the Riverwood Raiders and their electric quarterback Avery Smith to make a deep run this season. Their are no gimmes in the playoffs but Smith has been on of the most explosive players in the Class. Don’t forget about Westlake They’ll have a tough road to the final four, but this is a team that has been there and done that. Our favorite potential matchup is a quarterfinal draw that could see a rematch of the 2020 state title game with Buford and Lee County going head to head. Our sleeper, is Creekview. Their defense is playing about as good as any right now. They won’t scare you getting off the bus, but they find ways to win.
We put five teams on upset alert this week. Those are the teams that we believe might be ripe for a first run upset at home. Much will be determined over the next five weeks. Enjoy the playoffs, because they will be over before we know it. Best of luck to all of the teams competing.
The Skinny
The Rome Wolves enter the playoffs on a six game win streak. The Wolves have qualified for the post season for seven consecutive seasons. During that run they have won two state titles and have advanced to the second round in each of those appearances. Rome is averaging 32.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.8 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Reece Fountain has thrown for 2,067 yards and 15-TDs, while completing 67.8% of his passes. Senior Bryson Hill leads the Wolves in rushing with 1,004 yards rushing and 17-TDs. Martel Height has caught 55 passes for 837 yards while DeKaylon Daniel has caught 46 passes for 502 yards. Rome has defeated four playoff teams this season.
The Johns Creek Gladiators seemed poised to claim their third region title in four years until they were defeated by Creekview on Friday night. The Gladiators have won two of their last three games entering the playoffs, but one has to think how will they respond to last week’s loss. The Gladiators have an explosive offense, averaging 35 points per game while their defense is allowing 24.5 points per game. Quarterback Kyle Durham has thrown for 2,002 yards and 22-TDs. His top receiver has been Josh “ Jet” Thompson. Thompson is a speedy receiver who has caught 26 passes for 737 yards and 14-TDs. Running back Tylan Johnson has rushed for 1,159 yards and 9-TDs. Linebacker Sam Oppenheimer leads the team in total tackles while defensive end Thaxton Gallagher leads the team with 5.5 sacks. Gallagher is joined along the line with one the top players in the class of 2024, Alex Cunningham and Andrew Guth. This trio can really get after the quarterback.
Johns Creek certainly has the talent to upend Rome this week. But the offensive line while have to do a great job of blocking Stephylan Green and Jalen White; that’s easier said than done. We believe this will be one of the most competitive games in Class 6A this Saturday. We like the Wolves by 3.
The Skinny
The Cambridge Bears have completed their best regular season in school history. Cambridge will be looking to build off their 2nd round playoff appearance last season. The Bears are averaging 32.2 points per game while the defense has allowed just 15 points per game. Cambridge enters the playoffs winners of three of their last four games. Quarterback Zach Harris has thrown for over 1,900 yards and 21-TDs. Running back Christian Isibor has rushed for 500 yards and 6-TDs in six games, prior to last week’s victory. Will Taylor and Cade Ellington have been the two top receivers for the Bears. Linebackers Bennet Long and Brooks Morley lead the team in total tackles. Cambridge has defeated three playoff teams this season.
The South Paulding Spartans enter the playoffs on a four game win streak. The Spartans are in the post season for the second time in three years. South Paulding is averaging 35.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 28.9. The Spartans went through a mid-season coaching change, but the team has responded well. Quarterback Kasen Weisman has thrown for 2,035 yards and 17-TDs. However, Weisman’s status for Friday’s game is uncertain. Expect the Spartans to rely on the legs of Jamarion Wilcox who has rushed for 1,288 yards and 20-TDs. Brendan Gates and Josiah Harris lead the team in receiving with a combined 55 receptions for 812 yards and 7-TDs. The Spartans have defeated two playoff teams this season.
We thought Cambridge might have been on upset alert, but their steady play and the fact that we don’t believe Weisman will play this weekend has us second guessing. We like the Bears at home by 10.